Toronto Raptor Scotty Barnes will play in the NBA All-Star Game as part of injury recovery

Toronto Raptors star Scotty Barnes was one of two Eastern Conference team players injured in the upcoming NBA All-Star Game.

Barnes and Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young will replace Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid and New York Knicks forward Julius Randle.

Barnes was named an All-Star for the first time in his three-year NBA career.

The six-foot-seven Barnes averaged career highs of 20.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.48 blocks and 1.24 steals in 35.3 minutes in 50 games.

He joined Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo as the only NBA players to record at least 1,000 points, 400 rebounds, 250 assists, 50 blocks and 50 steals this season.

The All-Star Game will take place on February 18 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, home of the Indiana Pacers.

Young earned his third NBA All-Star selection in six seasons, all with the Hawks.

He averaged 27.3 points in 36.6 minutes in 45 games, along with a career-high 10.9 assists and 1.47 steals. The six-foot-one junior recorded an NBA-high 490 total assists — a category he had led in each of the previous two seasons.

Embiid (lateral meniscus injury in left knee) and Randle (dislocated right shoulder) will not play in the NBA All-Star Game after being selected as the starter and reserve, respectively. Eastern Conference head coach Milwaukee Doc Rivers will select a reserve from the eastern roster to replace Embiid in the starting lineup.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on February 6, 2024.